How The 2015 NFL Playoff Picture Would Look If The Season Ended Today

By Tire Rack

How the 2015 NFL Playoff Picture Would Look If the Season Ended Today

Cam Newton Panthers — With two weeks remaining in the 2015 NFL season, there are still six playoff spots up for grabs. The New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals are the only three teams to have their divisions locked up. With so much still to be determined, these last two weeks should be exciting.

AFC Playoff Picture

Rob Gronkowski Patriots

AFC Playoff Picture

Rob Gronkowski Patriots — The Patriots have clinched the AFC East division and the Bengals have clinched a playoff spot. Everything else in the AFC is wide open with two weeks left to go. The New York Jets are in a three-way tie for the final playoff spot with a 9-5 record which means they are right on there if any team slips up.

1. AFC East Leaders: New England Patriots (12-2)

Tom Brady Patriots

1. AFC East Leaders: New England Patriots (12-2)

Tom Brady Patriots — The Patriots took care of the Tennessee Titans in Week 15, 33-16. The pass defense struggled a little bit in the second half as Zach Mettenberger ended up throwing for 242 yards after coming in for the injured Marcus Mariota. It will be interesting to see what the Patriots' plans are for Steven Jackson after signing the veteran running back this week. He could end up playing a big role heading into the playoffs.

2. AFC North Leaders: Cincinnati Bengals (11-3)

A.J. McCarron Bengals

2. AFC North Leaders: Cincinnati Bengals (11-3)

A.J. McCarron Bengals — While the Bengals proved they could win a game without Andy Dalton at quarterback, it wasn't exactly a dominating performance against the San Francisco 49ers. The run defense played pretty well, but the pass defense gave up nearly 300 yards passing to Blaine Gabbert and the running game was stuck in the mud all game long. A.J. McCarron did a solid job as a game manager, but the Bengals are done if Dalton can't return quickly.

3. AFC West Leaders: Denver Broncos (10-4)

Emmanuel Sanders Broncos

3. AFC West Leaders: Denver Broncos (10-4)

Emmanuel Sanders Broncos — The Broncos jumped out to a big first-half lead against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they didn't score a single point in the second half as the Steelers came back to take the 34-27 victory. Brock Osweiler has had his moments, but the Broncos have no chance of winning it all without a healthy Peyton Manning. In fact, it's entirely possible that the Broncos still miss the playoffs completely.

4. AFC South Leaders: Houston Texans (7-7)

J.J. Watt Texans

4. AFC South Leaders: Houston Texans (7-7)

J.J. Watt Texans — The Texans entered their Week 15 game against the division-leading Indianapolis Colts without the services of starting quarterback Brian Hoyer. Things got even worse for Bill O'Brien's team after backup T.J. Yates tore his ACL in the first half and was replaced by newly-signed Brandon Weeden. With their playoff hopes on the line, the Texans found a way to beat the Colts 16-10 and move into first place in the division.

5. AFC West Leaders: Kansas City Chiefs (9-5)

Charcandrick West Chiefs

5. AFC West Leaders: Kansas City Chiefs (9-5)

Charcandrick West Chiefs — Outside of the Panthers' 18-game regular-season winning streak, the Chiefs have the longest winning streak in the NFL at eight games. Most of their success has been spearheaded by one of the best defensive units in the league. As long as Alex Smith and the offense can continue to play turnover-free football, the Chiefs will be a dangerous team for anyone to face.

6. AFC Wild Card No. 2: Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5)

Ben Roethlisberger Steelers

6. AFC Wild Card No. 2: Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5)

Ben Roethlisberger Steelers — Don't look now, but the Steelers are clicking on all cylinders heading towards the playoffs. Mike Tomlin's team now controls its own destiny over the last two weeks, and with the most explosive offense in the league combining with an ever-improving defense, some experts believe the Steelers could be Super Bowl-bound.

NFC Playoff Picture

Greg Olsen Panthers

NFC Playoff Picture

Greg Olsen Panthers — The NFC playoff picture is much clearer than the AFC. There are nine teams still in contention with four of those teams already locked into a spot. That leaves the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings to battle for the last Wild Card spot and the Washington Redskins, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC East crown.

1. NFC South Leaders: Carolina Panthers (14-0)

Cameron Artis-Payne Panthers

1. NFC South Leaders: Carolina Panthers (14-0)

Cameron Artis-Payne Panthers — The Panthers jumped out to a 35-7 third-quarter lead over the New York Giants during Week 15 before allowing the Giants to come back and tie the game at 35 with 1:46 left. Fortunately, the Panthers have the NFL MVP on their side as Cam Newton led the offense right down the field for a Graham Gano game-winning field goal as time expired. At 14-0, the Panthers can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win or a Cardinals loss in Week 16.

2. NFC West Leaders: Arizona Cardinals (12-2)

Patrick Peterson Cardinals

2. NFC West Leaders: Arizona Cardinals (12-2)

Patrick Peterson Cardinals — The Cardinals demolished the Eagles on Sunday Night Football, but they suffered a major loss in the process as Tyrann Mathieu tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season. Outside of Patrick Peterson, Mathieu was the most important piece of the Cardinals' defense, and it will be interesting to see how his absence affects the team down the stretch.

3. NFC North Leaders: Green Bay Packers (10-4)

Aaron Rodgers Packers

3. NFC North Leaders: Green Bay Packers (10-4)

Aaron Rodgers Packers — The Packers certainly have their flaws, but they continue to find ways to win. One more victory will clinch the NFC North for Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy and assure them of at least the No. 3 seed. It won't be easy as the Packers play at the Cardinals and home to the Vikings over the final two weeks. Two wins would give them a first-round bye if the Cardinals then lose to the Seahawks in Week 17.

4. NFC East Leaders: Washington Redskins (7-7)

DeSean Jackson Redskins

4. NFC East Leaders: Washington Redskins (7-7)

DeSean Jackson Redskins — The Redskins seem to finally be taking control of the NFC East after wins in three of their last four games. But as we've learned with this division, every time you peg one team as the favorite, there's another twist. With road games still to come against the Eagles and Cowboys, the Redskins still have a ways to go before clinching an improbable playoff spot.

5. NFC Wild Card No. 2: Seattle Seahawks (9-5)

Russell Wilson Seahawks

5. NFC Wild Card No. 2: Seattle Seahawks (9-5)

Russell Wilson Seahawks — Over the last five games, there isn't any team in the NFL playing better than the Russell Wilson-led Seahawks. Wilson has thrown 19 touchdowns without an interception over that stretch and the defense has fed off that energy. As well as the Seahawks have played, they're still going to have to find a running game if they're going to take down the Panthers or Cardinals in the playoffs.

6. NFC Wild Card No. 2: Minnesota Vikings (9-5)

Teddy Bridgewater Vikings

6. NFC Wild Card No. 2: Minnesota Vikings (9-5)

Teddy Bridgewater Vikings — Running back Adrian Peterson went down with a sprained ankle during Week 15 against the Chicago Bears, but Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings' defense played lights out in the second half. Peterson's health will definitely be something to keep an eye on going forward, but the Vikings seem to be headed to a first-round playoff exit any way you slice it.

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